Honda scooters to get a frontal airbag system

KUALA LUMPUR: Due to widespread urbanisation and densification, the popularity of two-wheelers continues to surge as these are practical and convenient to ride. Most of the modern-day motorcycles and scooters come packed with advanced safety bits like anti-lock braking system and anti-slip regulation. Well, now the automakers are set to add airbags to the safety kit.

In this area, the Japanese automaker Honda plays a pioneering role with the introduction of airbag technology for its two-wheelers back in 2006. However, the Honda Gold Wing is the only production bike, which is currently offered with an airbag system. 

Well, the brand aims to raise the safety quotient of its scooters as well, and thus it recently filed a patent for a frontal airbag system for scooters in India, as reported by Autocar.

The patent drawings preview an airbag setup positioned on the ICE-powered PCX, which indicates that it could be the first model to get this safety feature. These are somewhat different from the earlier patent filings the automaker filed last year with three different airbag designs. We can observe a small cylindrical housing at the headstock containing the airbag and an inflator placed closer to the rider. It is contrary to the earlier design where the airbag housing was placed further forward ahead of the handlebar.

Regarding the need for the scooter airbag system, Honda's own research revealed that at least 68% of injury-causing bike crashes happen due to frontal collisions.

Well, so far there is no clarity on when the Honda scooters will get this new airbag technology. Stay tuned with us for further updates.

Image courtesy: Autocar

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